Power-transmitting device.



No. 643,|30. Patented Feb. I3, |900.

T. W. HEERMANS.

POWER TRANSMITTING DEVICE. (Application led May 29, 189B.)

E www Il Nn. a43,|so. Patented Feb. 13, 1900.

T. w. HEEnMANs.

POWER TRANSMITTING DEVICE.

(Application filed Huy 29, 1899.) (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

No. 643,|3o. Patenfed Febfls, |900. T. w. HEERMANs.

POWER TRANSMITTING DEVICE.

(Application mea my 29, i899.)

(No Model.)

`4 Shets--sheef a.

mi nonms mins co. PHOTO-umn., wAsHmGToN, n, c.

No. 643,|30. Patented Feb. I3, |900.

T. W. HEERMNS. POWER TRANSMITTING DEVICE.

(Application led May 29, 1899.)

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Slvleet 4.

TH: Nonms paens co., Fuero-mwa.. wAsmNsToN. D. c.

iiniirsnp STATES PATENT OFFICE,

TIIADDEUS W. IIEERMANS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

\ POWER-TRANSMITTING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.. 643,130, dated February 13, 1900. Application tiled May 29, 1899. Serial No. 718,652. (No model.)

T0 a/ZZ whom it mctycoiwcrn:

Be it known that I, THADDEUS W. HEER- MANS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of motion of the same may be increased or decreased or changed without changing the speed or direc-tion of motion in the prime mover or power-shaft from which the motion is derived.

Other objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter.

The invention-consists, substantially, in the construction, combination, location, and arrangement of parts, all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth, as shown in the accompanying drawings, and finally more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, and tothe various views and reference-signs appearing thereon, Figure 1 is a View in side elevation of an autotruck or motor-carriage, showing the application of the invention thereto. Fig. 2 is a broken view, in rear elevation, of the same, parts being in vertical section. Fig. 3 is a broken view, in front elevation, of the same. Fig. 4 is a broken view, in horizon tal section,th rough the powertransmitting devices embodying the principles of my invention. -Fig. 5 is a transverse section of the same on the line 5 5, Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. (i is a similar view on the line 6 6, Fig. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows.

rIhe same part is designated by the saine referencesign wherever it occurs throughout the several views.

In the particular form of construction and arrangement illustrated in Fig. 4, to which, however, the invention is not limited or restricted, the shaft to be driven is composed of the independent sections D E. Upon section D of the shaft to be driven is mounted to loosely revolve a sleeve F, and formed with or carried by said sleeve F is a bevel-gear G. Upon section E of the driven shaft is similarly sleeved to revolve freely thereon a sleeve H, having formed thereon or carried thereby a similar bevel-gear J, corresponding in size and arrangement to bevel-gear G. Suitably arranged with the axis thereof at right anglesto the axis of the driven shaft are one or more studs K, carrying a bevel-gear L, arranged to intermesh at opposite sides with said bevelgears G J, respectively. Suit ably splined to rotate with the sectien D of the driven shaft is a gear M. Similarly a gear N of similar size and arrangement is `splined to rotate with the section E of the driven shaft, and mounted upon stud K to freely rotate thereon is a gear O, arranged to mesh at opposite sides with said gears M and N, respectively.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that when rotation is imparted to gears G and J at the same speed the gear L inter meshing therewith will be axially rotated, While the supporting-stud K will be held against movement. If, however, the relative speed of rotation of gears J and G be variedthat is, if one of said gears be rotated faster or slower than the otherto compensate for such variation the stud K will be swung or rotated about the axis of the driven shaft-- that is, in a plane intersecting such axis at right angles-and in a direction corresponding to the direction of rotation of the gear G or J, which has the greater speed, and the travel of said stud K about the axis of the driven shaft through the engagement of the gear O thereon with the gears M N on the sections D E of the driven shaft edects a rotation of the driven shaft, and the speed of rotation thus imparted to the driven shaft will be equal to one-half the difference in speed of the gears G J. Thus it will be seen that by imparting a greater speed to gear J the driven shaft may be operated in one direction and by imparting the greater speed to gear G said driven shaft will be actuated in the opposite direction, and the speed of rotation or movement of the driven shaft in either direction will be equal to one-half the difference in relative speeds of said gears G TOO and J. Thus I provide an exceedingly simple arrangement of differential gearing, whereby the speed and direction of movement of the driven shaft may be easily regulated by merely varying the speed of relative rotation of the gears G and J or locked against rotation.

The stud or studs K may be mounted in any suitable or convenient manner. In the particular form illustrated, to which, however, the invention is not limited or restricted, I have shown said stud or studs formed with or connected to a block P, in which the sections D E of the driven shaft are stepped or have bearing, as clearly shown in Fig. 4, and at the outer ends thereof said stud or studs K are connected to a casing Q, arranged to inclose the gearing above referred to, thereby protecting the lsame from dust or dirt.

The casing Q may be provided with cylin` drical end extensions R R', through which the driven shaft and the sleeves F H extend, said sleeves F and H thus forming a cylindrical bearing for said extensions.

Any suitable or convenient arrangement of gearing may be provided for rotating the gears G J, the essential feature of driving power for said gears being the capability of varying thereby or therethrough the relative speeds of rotation of said gears. I have shown a simple and efficient arrangement for accomplishing the desired res ult, but to which my invention is not limited or restricted, wherein I provide a gear C, suitably connected to, to rotate with, sleeve F, and similarly I provide one or more gears S S', suitably connected or mounted to rotate with sleeve H.

Reference-sign A designates the main drive or powershaft. This shaft may be the crankshaft of a steam, gas, gasolene, or other motor or the armature-shaft of an electric motor or may receive rotation from any suitable source of power. Upon one end of said shaft is mounted a gear B, arranged to mesh with and drive gear C, thus effecting a rotation of bevel-gear G at a speed dependent upon the speed ofrotation of the prime-mover shaft A. Similarly on the opposite end of shaft A, I mount one or more gears T T' to revolve with said shaft. The gears S S' and T T are preferably in the form of frictiondisks and may be of the usual commercial form of friction-disks. Upon a pin or stud 10, suitably supported, is mounted a loose sleeve 11. Upon this sleeve are mounted one or more pairs of friction-disks 12 13 12' 13', corresponding in number of pairs to the friction-Wheels S S T T'. The arrangement is such that on one side of stud or pin 10 the periphery of friction-disk S S' is arranged to project into the space between the members 12 13 12' 13 of their corresponding frictiondisks. Similarly, on the opposite side of pin or stud 10 the friction-disks TTare arranged to project into the space between the members 12 13 12' 13', as clearly shown. Thus it will be seen that the friction disk or disks T T and the like constitute friction-drivers for the friction-plates 12 13 12 13 and the like, which in turn transmit the rotation thus imparted thereto to the gears S S', tc. The members of each pair of intermediate friction plates or disks 12 13 12' 13' are held in suitable and proper relative arrangement in any suitable manner. In the form shown the outer faces of the hubs of said plates or disks are concaved to receive the convexed surface of blocks 14 15 16, said blocks being mounted on the sleeve 1.1. Nuts 17 18 are mounted upon the threaded ends of sleeve 11, and suitable stout coiled springs 19 20 are interposed between said nuts 17 18 and the adjacent surface of blocks 14 16, respectively. Thus it will be seenthat the tension of said springs 19 20 is constantly exerted in a direction to press the members 12 13 l2' 13' of each pair of friction-disks toward each other, and by mounting this entire arrangement of apparatus upon sleeve 11, which isloosely mounted on stud or pin 10, it will be observed that the tension of springs 19 and 2O is not exerted in a manner to be overcome in the operationof the gearingthat is to say, said springs 19 and 2O bear against the nuts 17 18 in opposite directions-and said nuts being carried by sleeve 1l the rotation or actuation of the apparatus is not thereby impaired or in any manner interfered with.

In order to secure the desired variation in speeds of relative rotation of gears G and J, it is only necessary to move pin or stud 10 toward or away from the axis of rot-ation of the driver-disks T T'. Thus it will be readily seen and understood that a speed reduction is secu red between the constantly-driven gears T T' and the gears S S', while the relative speeds of gears B and C will remain constant. By moving pin or stud 10 laterally with respect to itself and toward the axis of rotation of the driver-disks T T' it will be seen that the contacting peripheries of said driving-disks approach nearer and nearer to the center or axis of rotation of the intermediate disks l2 13 12' 13', thus changing the relative speeds of rotation of said driverdisks T T' and said intermediate disks by increasing the speed of' the intermediate disks. The same movement of stud or pin 10 will cause the peripheral contact-surface of vgears S S to approach the periphery of the intermediate disks 12 13 121-3', thus changing the relative speeds of rotation of the intermediate disks and of the driven disks S S' by increasing the speed of the latter, and hence securing a double increase in speed from the driverdisks T T' to the driven disks S S'. Similarly when pin or stud 10is moved in the opposite direction the reverse of the above operation takes place-that is, a double reduction in the relative speed of rotation of gears S S' With respect to the driver-disks T T', is secured. In this manner by merely moving thepin or support 10 laterally with respect IOO IIO

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to itself in one direction or the other the relative speed of rotation of bevel-gears G and J may be regulated. The pin or stud 10 may be mounted for movement in the manner indicated in any suitable arrangement. In the form shown said pin is carried in the end of links 21 22, suitably hinged or mounted in an adjacent part of the casing or framework, thus enabling the intermediate friction-disks to be vibrated toward or from the driver and driven gears.

In the practical adaptation of the principles of my invention as above explained the driven shaft may be utilized for any purpose for which a rotary shaft is adapted. In the particular adaptation thereof. shown in the drawings the sections D E of the driven shaft constitute axles for a vehicle-such, for instance, as an autotruck or motor-carriageupon which are mounted the traction-wheels 23 2i, and in order to secure the parts in proper relative arrangement the extensions R R of the gear-casing Q may be journaled in suitable struts or braces 25 26 of the supf porting-framework, and, if desired, and in order to reduce friction, a ball journal-bearing for said casing may be provided, as indicated at 27 28. Similarly the prime-mover shaft A may be suitably journaled or supported in a casing 29 30, the casing 29 being arranged to inclose the gears B C and the` casin g 30 being arranged to inclose the speedvaration gearingT T S S and their coperating intermediate disks 12 13 12 13', and said casings 29 30 being journaled at the respective ends thereof upon the driving-axle and the driven axle, respectively, serve to maiutain the proper mesh and engagement of said gears during any vibratory movement o'f the main drive-shaft or of the axle or driven shaft and also serving to protect the gearing from dust, dirt, or the like.

Vhile I have shown two driver-disks T T' and two driven disks S S with corresponding sets of intermediate disks 12 13 12 13', it is to be understood that only one driver and only one driven disk or any number of drivers 4 and driven disks, with set or sets of .intermediate disks, may be employed. The struts or braces 25 26 in which the gear-easing Q is mounted may be suitably bolted or otherwise secured to a supporting-frame 31, which may form the support for the carriage or other body 32 and may in turn have bearings 33 for the axle-sections D E.

Referring to Fig. 1, a convenient arrangement is shown for swinging the arms 21 22, carrying a pin or stud 10 for the intermediate friction-disks, such movement being controllable by the steering-bar 34. This bar, it will be seen, is pivoted at 35 upon a plate 36, the rotation of which may be utilized to effect the steering of the vehicle in any suitable, convenient, or well-known manner. Pivotally connected to the steering-bar 34 is a rod 37, connected to one arm of a bell-crank lever The other arm of said bell-crank lever is connected to a rod 39, suitably connected to the supporting links or arms 21 of stud 10. Thus by rocking steering-bar 3ft upon its pivot 35 the rod 37 is raised or lowered, which effects a rocking of bell-crank lever 38, and hence through rod 39 swinging the links or arms 21 22 to move the intermediate frictiondisks 12 13 12 13 to eifectthe desired variation in speed of the gears S S with respect to the drivers T T.

It will of course be understood that the particular adaptation of my invention to a motor-carriage and the particular arrangement of the gearing with respect thereto, as shown and described, is merely illustrative of an operative embodiment and to which my invention is not to be limited or restricted.

Many variations and changes in the details of construction and arrangement will readily occur to persons skilled in the art and still fall within the spirit and scope of my invention. I do not desire, therefore, to be limited or restricted to the exact construction and arrangement shown; but,

Having now set forth the object and nature of my invention and various constructions embodying the same, what I claim as new and useful and of my own invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a power-transmitting device, the combination with the shaft to be driven, of oppositely faced bevelgears loosely sleeved thereon, an intermediate idler bevel I gear meshing with both. of said gears, and connected to said shaft, means for rotating said gears in opposite directions, one of said gears operating at a uniform speed, and friction driving-disks for varying the speed of the IOO other gear, whereby the direction and speed y of rotation of the shaft to be driven may be regulated and controlled, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination with the shaft to be driveu,of oppositely-faced bevel-gears mounted to rotate freely, an intermediate idler, meshing on opposite sides with said gears and connected to said shaft, a driving means for each of said gears, said driving means arranged to rotate said gears in opposite directions, and movable friction-plates for varying the speed of rotation of one of said gears, whereby the direction and speed of rotation of said shaft are varied and controlled, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination with the shaft to be driven, of oppositely-arranged bevelgears sleeved upon said shaft to rotate independently thereof, an intermediate idler connected to said shaft and arranged to intermesh on opposite sides with said gears, a main powershaft, a gear thereon for rotating one of said bevelgears at a constant speed, and a friction-disk on said power-shaft, and intermediate devices between said disk and the other of said bevel-gears for varying the speed of rotation of said gears, as and for the purpose set forth.

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4. The combination with the shaft to be driven, of a stud or pin connected thereto, an idler carried by said stud, oppositely-arranged bevel-gears sleeved upon said shaft on opposite sides of said stud and arranged to intermesh with said idler, a power-shaft, gearing intermediate said power-shaft and said gears for rotating the latter in opposite directions, and including a drive-gear for one of said bevel-gears, and a friction-disk for the other of said bevel-gears for Varyin g the speed of rotation of said gear with reference to that of the other, as and for the purpose set fort-h.

5. The combination with a sectional shaft to be driven, of a stud loosely mounted and carrying an idler bevel-gear, a bevel gear- Wheel mounted on each section of said shaft to rotate therewith, and intermeshing on opposite sides with said idler, a second idler bevel-gear carried by said stud, oppositelyarranged driving bevel-gears meshing on opposite sides with said second idler, means for rotating said driving-gears in opposite directions, and means for varying the relative spe-ed of rot-ation of said drivin g-gears, as and for the purpose set forth.

6. The combination of a shaft formed in sections, a block in which the abutting ends of said sections are stepped, a pin carried by said block and arranged at right angles to the shaft, an idler loosely sleeved upon said pin, a gear mounted on the end of each section of the shaft to rotate therewith, said gears meshing on opposite sides of said pin with said idler, a second idler mounted on said pin, oppositely-arranged drive-gears meshing with said second idler on opposite sides thereof, means for rotating said drive-gears in opposite directions, and means for varying the relative'speed of rotation of said gears, as and for the purpose set forth.

7. The combination with the shaft to be driven, of a stud or pin connected thereto, an idler sleeved upon said stud or pin, oppositely-arranged gears meshing with said idler on opposite sides thereof, a main power-shaft, gearing arranged at eaclr end thereof and respectively engaging and driving said gears in opposite directions, and means for varying the relative speed f said gears, as and for the .purpose set forth. v

8. The combination with the shaft to be driven, a stud or pin mounted to revolve about the axis of said shaft, said stud connected to rotate with the shaft, an idlerloosely mounted on said stud or pin, a gear arranged on each side of said idler and meshing therewith, a main or power shaft, means for rotating one of said gears from said main or power shaft at a uniform speed, gearing for driving the other of said gears from said main or power shaft in the opposite direction, including frictiondisks and intermediate movable frictionplates for varying said gearing, whereby the speed of said oppositely-rotatin g gear may be varied, as and forthe purpose set forth.

9. The combination with the shaft to be driven, a stud or pin mounted to revolve about the axis of said shaft but connected to rotate with said shaft, an idler mounted on said stud or pin, oppositely-rotating gears arranged on opposite sides of said idler and meshing therewith, a main power-shaft, a gear-wheel and a friction-disk mounted thereon at the respective ends thereof,l said gear-wheel arranged to drive one of said oppositely-rotating gears, a friction-disk connected to rotate the other lof said oppositely-rotating gears, and frictionplates interposed between said friction-disks, and means for moving said plates with reference to said disks, as and for the purpose set forth.

10. The combination with the shaft to be driven, of a variable-ratio gearing for driving the same, including oppositely-rotating gears, a friction-disk connected to one of said gears, and a drive-gear connected to the other, a main power-shaft carrying a gear arranged to engage and operate said drive-gear, a frictiondisk, alsovcarried by said power-shaft, and friction-plates arranged to engage said disks on opposite sides, said friction-plates being movably mounted, as and for the purpose set forth.

1l. In an apparatus of the class described, a variableratio gearing including a main power-shaft and a shaft to be driven, frictiondisks carried by said shafts, a stud or pin arranged parallel with and intermediate the axes of said disks, friction-plates carried by said stud or pin, and engaging said frictiondisks, and means for moving said stud or pin laterally toward and away from one or the other of said disks, as and for the purpose set forth.

12. The combination with the shaft to be ,TOO

driven, of a variable-ratio gearing for driving IIO main power-shaft carrying a gear arranged to engage and operate said drive-gear, africtiondisk, also carried by said power-shaft, friction-plates arranged to engage said disks on opposite sides, said f riction-plates being movably mounted, andan inclosing casing for said disks and plates, said casing journaled respectively upon said shafts, whereby the proper engagement thereof is maintained, as and for the purpose set forth.

13. rlhe combination with the shaft to be driven, of a variable-ratio gearing for driving the same, including oppositely-rotating gears, a friction-disk connected to one of said gears, and a drive-gear connected to the other, a main power-shaft carrying a gear arranged to engage and operate said drive-gear, a frictiondisk, also carried by said power-shaft, friction-plates arranged to engage said disks on opposite sides, a steering-lever, and connec- -tions between said lever and said frictionplates whereby said plates may be moved with respect to the said disks to vary the relative speeds of the latter, thereby controlling the engaging on opposite sides thereof with said disks, respectively, a control-bar, and connections between said bar and plates for moving I5 the latter with reference to said disks, as and for the purpose set forth.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, this 26th day of May, 1899, in the presence of the subscribing Witnesses.

THADDEUS W'. HEERMANS.

Witnesses:

S. E. DARBY, E. C. SEMPLE. 

